Sunday, February 21, 2010

After several delays that heightened anticipation for the film beforeit even hit the screen, Martin Scorsese's newest mystery thriller,Shutter Island, finally makes its debut this weekend. The film, set in1954, follows US Marshall Teddy Daniels and partner Chuck Aule (playedby Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo) as they investigate thedisappearance of a prisoner of Shutter Island, a mental institutionfor the criminally insane. But things go south when Daniels finds outthat shady things are happening on the island, and it becomes apparentthat he may never get off the island.

Shutter Island certainly delivers as a haunting psychologicalthriller. From the moment Daniels arrives on the island, you get thefeeling that you can't trust anyone. As more about the history of theisland and its residents becomes apparent, you realize that Danielsgot more than he bargained for with this investigation. At almost 2hours and 20 minutes, Shutter Island does feel long, but the countlessplot twists will make you want to keep your bathroom breaks to aminimum.

Shutter Island is beautiful aesthetically;

through moody lighting andspooky buildings that set you on edge from the beginning, Scorsesedelivers a period thriller that is as beautiful as it is entertaining.However, the film seems to take itself too seriously at times.Scorsese ineffectively tries to force on the audience a personalconnection with Daniels with lengthy dream sequences and flashbacks;however, the character is carried by DiCaprio's fine performance asthe confused but inquisitive Marshall. Though the dialogue sometimesfelt forced or stilted, the spooky supporting cast, with Ben Kingsleyas the head of the island and Michelle Williams as Daniel's hauntingformer wife, helps the pace along enough to keep the interest.

In all, while not perfect, Shutter Island is an entertainingcommercial thriller that will keep you guessing.